Following the release of this Sound City documentary, Foo Fighters star Dave Grohl is also releasing an album to go alongside it. Real To Reel is set for release this month and we had a listen.
The album kicks off with Heaven and All and straight off you are greeted with some heavy guitar riffs and a badass sound. Been from the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club owns the track and really gives it its identity. It’s not surprising to hear how slick the production is and with then the song finishes with a brilliant guitar solo.
Time Slowing Down with Chris Goss simply stuns you with its blend of hard and blues-rock. The detail on the guitar riffs is even slicker than we remembered and really hooks you in and if that weren’t enough the track ends on an epic high with a great guitar solo.
Whilst we saw Sound City live at The Forum we didn’t get to see Stevie Nicks perform but luckily Fleetwood Mac’s contribution is on the album. You Can’t Fix This is a brilliant folk/pop track. It might be a little cheesy lyrically but who cares when the message is easy to relate to. The Man The Never Dies with Rick Springfield sounds quite Foo Fighter-y and less like the artist’s own power pop.
Now for the favourites of this album there’s the punk inspired Your Wife Is Calling with iconic Lee Ving on vocals. This track is seriously good with its upbeat tempo, blues notes and a harmonica that ties everything together. You’d think that that would do it but no Dave Grohl and friends decide to make the track even more exciting with its long bridge filled with guitar riffs.
From that we move to From Can To Can’t, which is quite mellow in comparison. You wouldn’t think it would be with Slipknot’s Taylor on vocals.
Centipede is another favourite on the album with its sweet little melody and a completely different style to any other track on the album. Centipede kicks off on acoustic guitar and vocals and pretty much sticks to that for 2/3 of the song but then it suddenly explodes and you are hit with mighty drums and soaring guitar riffs.
Paul McCartney also appears on the Real To Reel and the legend rocks it out like we didn’t ever expect. It’s refreshing to hear a different side to Macca and the excellent musicians backing him just add to the experience. Cut Me Some Slack also has another slick guitar solo and seems to want to never end.
Dave Grohl finally steps to the mic for the last two songs on the album; If I Were We is a slow burner, which slowly builds up but not losing its fragile simplicity. Then its Mantra the big finish to Real To Reel. This will undoubtedly become another favourite with its edginess and complete meltdown of an ending.
It’s hard to fault Sound City, we mean here is an album packed with rock legends so perfection is expected. Real To Reel certainly doesn’t disappoint, it’s varied and fresh without any pretentiousness.
